A newly released UMass Amherst poll reveals a growing concern among Americans about the level of influence wielded by Elon Musk and large technology firms over the U.S. government. Conducted between April 4 and April 9, the poll highlights that over half of respondents believe Musk, as head of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), and the broader tech industry, have too much power within the current Trump administration.
Further findings show that 59% of participants expressed skepticism over Musk’s ability to separate his public duties from his private business ventures. Many fear that his decisions in government may be crafted to favor companies he’s directly tied to, such as Tesla and SpaceX.
Professor Tatishe Nteta, who oversaw the poll, noted, “With just three months in his role at DOGE, questions continue to mount around Elon Musk’s authority, potential conflicts of interest, and whether his sweeping cost-cutting efforts are generating actual savings.” Nteta added that the public’s perception of Musk’s controversial federal spending reductions is largely negative and that many expect Musk to return to his business empire sooner rather than later.
Ethics Concerns Prompt Legislative Action
Musk’s presence in the Trump administration has reignited long-standing debates about ethical boundaries between private-sector tycoons and government power. Musk has made headlines for pushing sweeping deregulation and slashing government programs, but critics argue that his actions appear more in line with promoting his personal brand than serving public interests.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has emerged as one of Musk’s most vocal critics. This week, she co-sponsored a bill that would require mandatory ethics evaluations for government appointees like Musk, classified as “special government employees.”
Warren has also urged the Department of Justice to reverse its recent rollback of crypto crime enforcement, emphasizing that “the line between innovation and exploitation must be better regulated.”
Public Doubt Amid Tech and Crypto Expansion
Musk has also continued promoting cryptocurrency, particularly Dogecoin, a meme coin he helped popularize in previous years. His dual focus on government reform and crypto development has sparked fears of blurred lines between policy and private gain.
Meanwhile, President Trump is drawing his own criticism. Reports from Fortune indicate he is planning to release a crypto-themed Monopoly-style real estate game, adding another layer of controversy to his ties with the financial sector.
With these developments, the conversation around government ethics and tech’s growing influence is heating up—especially as more Americans express concern over unelected figures shaping national policy.
